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Sandra Herrmann

Sandra Herrmann is pastor of Memorial United Methodist Church in Greenfield, Wisconsin. In 1980, she was in the first class ordained by Bishop Marjorie Matthews (the first female United Methodist bishop). Herrmann is the author of Ambassadors of Hope (CSS); her articles and sermons have also appeared in Emphasis and The Circuit Rider, and her poetry has been published in Alive Now and So's Your Old Lady. She has trained lay speakers and led workshops and Bible studies throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. Sandra's favorite pastime is reading with her two dogs piled on her.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

God frees us from fear -- 1 Kings 19:1-4, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2013
The scriptures for this Sunday are about fear and belonging.
Audacious faith -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
There are Sundays when we look at the lectionary readings and wonder how all three passages work tog
The call of God makes us whole -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
The scriptures this week are focused on the importance of the people of God to our Creator.
Discomforting words -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2013
Today's scriptures carry warnings that Christians of the 21st century really need to listen to.
End of what? -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
This week's scriptures call us to be awake and alert, fearless and ready for anything.
God's love and trust in us -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The Christmas season is over in the secular world.
Called to be faithful witnesses -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
Isaiah 49:1-7The Servant's Mission (NRSV)
Words against the devil -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13 -- Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
All three of the passages for this Sunday deal with the very basics of our faith: What do we believe
A single family -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
When Christians come together to celebrate Maundy Thursday, we are entering into the Hebrew calendar
Hope for today, tomorrow, and eternity -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
If there is a theme that binds these three scriptures, it must be HOPE. Not a short-term, eas
Wait here for the baptism of the Holy Spirit -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2013
The thrust of the scriptures for Ascension is on the reliance of the early Christians on the power a
The cosmic Christ -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Happy New Year!
God Fulfills His Promises -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
From the promises of the Old Testament prophets (today’s selection is from Jeremiah) to the fulfillm

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The Lamb -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Sandra Herrmann -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat’s Up This Week "The Lamb" by Keith Hewitt
The Lamb -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Sandra Herrmann -- Good Friday - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat’s Up This Week "The Lamb" by Keith Hewitt
One Frightened Puppy -- Mark 4:35-41, 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Sandra Herrmann, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "One Frightened Puppy" by Sandra Herrmann
Come Away With Me -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Sandra Herrmann, Lamar Massingill, Larry Winebrenner, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Come Away With Me" by Sandra Herrmann
A Born Leader -- Matthew 22:34-46, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Sandra Herrmann, Argile Smith, David O. Bales, Craig Kelly -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "A Born Leader" by Sandra Herrmann
A Born Leader -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Sandra Herrmann, Argile Smith, David O. Bales, Craig Kelly -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "A Born Leader" by Sandra Herrmann
The Jigsaw Puzzle -- Luke 1:26-38, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:47-55 -- Argile Smith, Craig Kelly, Sandra Herrmann, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B, The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Jigsaw Puzzle" by Argile Smith
Speak The Truth In Love -- Luke 24:13-35, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- John S. Smylie, Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Speak the Truth in Love" by John Smylie
Where's Your Jesus Now? -- Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:5-15, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Sandra Herrmann, Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Where's Your Jesus Now?" by Sandra Herrmann
Being Helped In Spite Of Himself -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30 -- Sandra Herrmann, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
The Ultimate Super Hero -- Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104 -- Fanny Lee Seville, Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Ultimate Super Hero" by Fanny Lee Seville
Lessons Of A Farmer -- Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week
Joelito's Legacy -- Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Sandra Herrmann, Jo Perry-Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "Joelito's Legacy"
The Mighty Metaphor Machine -- John 20:19-31, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133 -- Stan Purdum, C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Contents What's Up This Week
Dancing Before The Lord -- Frank R. Fisher, Stan Purdum, John E. Sumwalt, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Contents What's Up This Week
Prepare The Way -- Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 1:3-11, Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79 -- Sil Galvan, Sandra Herrmann, Charles Cammarata, David O. Bales, Pamela Tinnin, Stan Duncan -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
The Gift Of Seeing -- Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19 -- John E. Sumwalt, Gregory L. Tolle, Sandra Herrmann -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Gift Of Seeing" by John Sumwalt
Mitch And The Angel -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt, Fanny Lee Seville -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Mitch and the Angel" by Sandra Herrmann

SermonStudio

Help In The Name Of The Lord -- Psalm 124 -- Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2004
In 1972, I had the opportunity to go to the Soviet Union and get educational credit for the adventur
To Any In Need -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Sandra Herrmann -- 1993
White Boy shuffled down the street. His run-over loafers
Getting Up The Courage -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Sandra Herrmann -- 1993
Julie hadn't been able to think of anything for a month but a
Workers In The Revolution -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Sandra Herrmann -- 1993
Dr. Jack Rosen waited in the bushes by the side of the road,
Music Box Dancer -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1993
David stared at the music box nostalgically as his sister held it out to him.
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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